Current motor



Oct. 16, 1928.

C. J. BAER 1 CURRENT MOTOR Filed March 12, 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 C. J.BAER CURRENT MOTOR Oct. 16, 1928.

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 12,- 1924 Oct. 16, 1928. 1,687,923

C/J. BAER CURRENT MOTOR Filed March 12, 1924 5 Sheets5 heet 3 C. J. BAERCURRENT MOTOR 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 12, 1924 Patented I Oct. '15,1928.

UNITED STATES,

CARL J'. IBAER, OI ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

' CURRENT MOTOR.

Application filed March 12, 1924. Serial No. 698,691.

This invention relates to means for taking energy and power out of thecurrents of rivers, canals, creeksand other'moving bodies of water,includingt-ide and gulf stream flows.

It is an old art to attempt to take energy from moving streams bydamming a stream, raising the water to a given altitude and dropping itthrough turbineand other power wheels. It is also an old art to attemptto take power from moving Streams by radial and endless chain wheelsequipped with soli l paddles or buckets. Such attempts have beenabortivebecause all solid paddles and buckets tend too greatly to retard thestream flow at the points of contact of the stream with thebucketsorpaddles; for instance, a solid paddle of ten feet in length and onefoot in width has, behind the paddle, a determinable amount of retardingforce against the movement of the stream, If a solid paddle of thislength were. placed into a moving stream 20 ft. wide, with an averagespeed of stream of 3 miles per hour, the width of the paddle being greatenough to reach the bottom of the stream, say three feet deep, and suchpaddle attached either to an endless chain or to a radial wheel, itwould retard, to a certain extent, that part of the stream obstructed bythe area of the paddle. Therefore any mechanism which successfully takespower or energy from a moving body of water, must provide for a flow ofthe stream through as well as against the equipment In other words, apaddle foraminated in its construction, or provided with holes or slotstherethrough, or constructed of a plurality of relatively-spaced smallerunits striking the water at many points over a given area, rather thanin solid formation, is necessary tothe successful oper ation.

In my Patent No, 1,451,463, I show a screened or perforated paddle forpropelling boats, and I have found that the thrust of a perforatedpaddle, or apaddle madeup of multiple units, not only prevents theformation of a strong vacuum behind the paddle in its thrust through thewater, and the consequent draw-back effect, but greatly eliminates thelateral and vertical deflection of the water after contact by thepaddle.fore, by permitting the passage of a portion of the water through thepaddle, for direct contact with the sister paddles behind it, thedisturbance of the water between the paddles There is greatly minimized,and the least .disturb- I ancemad'e in the water, themore solid is thewater formation for contact against .the next paddle and, therefore, themoreefiicient is the combined thrust delivered to the paddles.

N at only is there more efficiency in the direct thrust against a paddleconstructed to permit passage of water therethrough, but the eliminationof the vacuum behind the paddle isan important factor in-powerdistribution of this character. The power necessary to move a solidpaddle through the water is obviously greater than that requiredto move,the same distance, and under the'same conditions, a paddle which permitsthepassage of water therethrough, as will be readily unf derstood. t p

In fast moving torpedo boat destroyers a vacuum-formed hole will benoticed behind the destroyer, when running at 32 knots an 'hour whichhole, in size, would be large enough to contain the average sized boxfreight car, and as the momentum or velocit-y is increased, the greaterthe pull back from the stern. This same condition prevails in the swiftmovement of solid paddles through the water,

in all radial wheel constructions, as well as endless chain wheelconstruction, the paddles behind the first vpaddle retarding, ratherthan assisting in the'movementof the boat, and the more solid paddlesplaced in the water, the less eflicient is the whole equipment. Mymethod of overcoming this retarding force consists in the utilizationofforaminated or multiple paddles in the water, permitting the passageof the water through the paddles'and thereby distributing'the thrustover more area of the water, with'the least disturbances of the latter.v

By utilizing a succession of solid paddles in the water, for instance inan endless chain wheel formation, the chain wheel retards-the flow ofthe stream, and on each sideof the wheel the stream runs at a givenrate, say three miles per hour, the water in' contact with the paddlesrunningat Very muchlless construction permitting the passage of watertherethrough. Such an apparatus may be placed in a current of movingwater, permit.

ting the water to run as it were through the water engaging elements,therefore not attempting to take the entire volume of energy from thewater in its contact with the first paddle, but to permit a restricted.flow through the paddle perforations or apertures, which flow continuesfreely throughout the entire multiple paddle equipment. Under suchcircumstances a given percentage of water energy effects a movement ofthe paddles through the water, each paddle bearing its own load, eachpaddle being contacted by the relatively undisturbed water which haspassed through the preceding paddle, all of the paddles thereforeoperating as power units rather than retarding units, as would be thecasein the solid paddle construction;

In actual practice this principle may be applied to endless chains orcables, to which is attached a plurality of paddles or buckets, offabricated material of anylrind, so designed as to hold or take from thestream a certain percentage of the water energy, allowing a certainproportion of the energ, to pass 7 through the paddle construction, forcontact With the succeeding paddles on the chain. By such construction Iam able to a belt upon the surface of the water, or to any depth beneaththe surface, and by means of such belt of paddles or buckets in endlesschain formation, the retarding forces incident to the entrance of thepaddle into the water, and the egress of the paddle from the water, aswell as the friction and energy used to 0p erate the entire water wheelmechanism, are minimized to the greater degree.

In order to reduce such friction and retarding forces to the minimum,the buckets or paddles are-constructed, for flotation, of'the lightestkind of material and the dimensions of the paddle area, or of the drivewheel and length of the chain, may be varied to suit the conditions. 1

The principle of permitting the passage of water through the paddleelement is of course also applicable to propelling devices other thanthe endless chain construction such radial paddle wheels, and screwpropellers. Theradial paddle wheel may also be provided with paddleelementswhich permit the passage of water or air therethrough, but,since such paddles never travel in longitudinal parallelisn, it isobvious that the chain drive is more advantageous, since the water maybe fed through one paddle to the next succeeding paddle, throughout theentire length of paddle submergence. It is undoubtedly true however thatall paddle mechanisms which are adapted for contact with air, water orany other fluid, would be greatly increased in elliciency, if provisionwere made whereby to perm t a portion of the air, water or fluid to passthrough the front paddle, and thereafter con tact the succeeding paddle,as hereinbefore explained.

In the drawings accompanying this specification -I have chosen to showmy invention applied to a flexible endless belt, such as a chain orcable.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is aside elevation of an apparatus adapted to take energy from astream of running water. Y

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus;

Fig. 3 is atop plan view ofthe apparatus, showing means forconcentrating the water to a certain path.

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the apparatus.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of one form of paddle member.

Fig. 5 is a detail section, showing means for hanging a paddle element.f

Fig. 6 is a section on line 66 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a sectionalview of a slightly modilied form of paddle member.

Fig. 8 is a detailed-view of the front end of the apparatus, in sideelevation.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in a plane extendingtransversely. of the apparatus and approximately centrally thereof. I

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary detail of the wheel which supports the endlessconveyor.

Fig. 11 i'sa fragmentarydetail, on a re duced scale, showing the paddlesfully submerged in the water.

Fig. 12 is a detail showing'the method of attaching the paddles to theendless conveyor. i

Fig. 13 is a side-view, partly diagrammatic, of theapparatus shown inFig. 3.

l l is a top plan View, partly diagrammatic, showing a apparatus. Y i

1 Fig. 15 is a perspective view, partly in sec tion, showing anotherform of paddle.

- Fig. 16 is a transverse sectional view of another form of paddle. iFig. 17 is a plan view of the propeller shown in Fig. 16,- and;

Fig. 18 is a sectional detail showing the scope ofone form ofperforation through the paddle. v

1 Now referring specifically to the drawings, and especially to Fig. 1,A, A indicate pontoons, here shown as arranged in parallelism,

constructed so as to provide a high degree of buoyancy. The 'pontoonsare provided with cross framework B, which couples them, and alsosupports'the endless conveyor 1, travelling around wheels or drivers2,one near each end of the pontoons. The conveyors 1. here shown as acable, carry a plurality of foraminated' paddle elements 3, so mountedas to present their larger surfaces for contact by the water.

v The structure so far described is to be posimodified form of the shownin 11.

tinned a current-of running water,-and may be fixed in position so asnot to float with the current. The wheels 2 are anti-frictionally mentwith the path of travel of the paddle, but sacrifices the remainingportion of suchenergy to feed the paddlewhich' is travelling mounted,and the cable 1 is so constructed that it may be adjusted to run justabove the water, permitting the paddles 3 to become almost whollyimmersed, as shown in Fig.1, or the lower section of the cable and thepaddles carried thereby may be wholly immersed, as Under suchcircumstances it is obvious that the current would tend to force thepaddles down the river, resulting in a rotation of the axle 4 of thefront wheel 2, the cable 1 necessarily travelling around the wheels,will be clearly understood.

In theaction ust describech it is clear that the rotative energyimparted to the axle l, is governed e of the current of water, and thecombined area of the paddle elements positioned for contact by thewater, which are is of course dependent upon the number or" paddles inthe water, and the volume oi water engaging each paddle. The number ofpaddles utilized may be varied at will by increasing or decreasingthelength of the cable 1, or by so vertically adjusting the cable, orlaterally adjusting the wheels 2, that a greater or less number ofpaddles immersed in the water. The amount'ol water power delivered toeach immersed paddle however, is dependent upon the amount ofwater whichis allowed tocome into contact therewith. Relatively undisturbed waterwill make complete contact with the paddle, but, if the water is allowedto pile up behind one paddle thereby forming a vac uum in the water infront of said paddle,-such n, or hole in the'water prevents the a. ofwater from being delivered to the next paddle in front such paddletherefore ibecomin a retardent to the apparatus.

In order thatreach and every paddlemay assist in the rotation of theshaft'l, I so con-' struct them as to permit a passage of water d rectlytherethrough. C ne form of such paddles is shown in Figs. 5 and 6, aslight modification being illustrated in Fig. 7. The pad- .dle 3 is hereshown as a chambered structure of sheet metal, but it may be formed ofany material adaptedto withstand the pressure to which it may besubjected. It is provided *ith top wall 5 and side walls 6, 6 and isopen longitudinally throughout its'length as wn in Fig. 6. The top wall5 is provided with a plurality or apertures which permit the escape ofair w ien the paddle enters the water, and both side walls'fi, 6, arealso provided with a plurality of apertures,permit ting the transversepassage of waterthrough the paddle, alter immersion. In addition theretoeach side wall 6 is provided with a large opening 7, which registers theopening in the other side wall 6, whereby to permit a relatively freeandunrestricted passage of water through the pad- 1'1. i ativelv the;paddle along.

- rely by the the speed and volume dle. By this construction a paddle.may'imdirectly in front, Whereby the *front paddle assists in therotation of the shaft 4,- rather than making itnjecessaryior the shaltto pull 11- i s preferred that :the paddles be buoyant,

' and,-.to this end, each is provided with compo *tments 8, 8, which maybe. air-tight and r ded to the interior walls of'th'e paddle, or may beillled with cork or other buoyant materiai, in which case it is notnecessary that ybc air or water-tight. VA modification or thecompartments 8, 8 .is shown in Fig. 7, Where the .COlIlPflllilIlQlltS3118 formed of cylindrical containers, held in position bya ap embracingthe containers and extendthrough the walls 5 and 6 of the paddles.

Each paddle is providedwith a supporting bracket 10 riveted or otherwisesecured to'the .walls 6, (hand a bearing block 11 is mounted on thebracket 10. :A connecting rod 12, is rotativeiy secured into, thebearing in block 11, and isheld therein by a strap 13. The rod isprovided with a curved slot 12, directly under the strap 13, andaset-screw 14, as seen in Fig. 5*, extends through; the strap 13 andinto the slot12, .permittinglimi-ted rotation of the rod 12, andpreventing longitudinal inovenientthereofl The rod 12-extends outwardlyand preferably terminates in a flattened end 16 whichis riveted to ayoke 17 straddling the cable 1,.disengagement between the yoke and cablebeing prevented by bolts 18 extending through the sides of the yoke 17,above and below the cable 1. By

' the construction which includes the set-screw let and the slot 12, thepaddle may swing upon the cable like a pendulum, or may be tightened bymeans of the screw 14 riding in a slot 12 in the rod 12. The paddlecannot swing so far asto fail'topresent an effective -.resistance to thewater, because such swing would be prevented by the vertical'wall of theslot 12. "The rod 12 extends through the paddle ata point above thelongitudinal axis otthe latter, whereby the paddle may always have aslight pivotal action around the rod, said action being limited by thepin 14 and slot .12, as stated. This construction obviously permits'alimited pendulum swing of the paddle whereby it may enter the water inanatural position and be. capable of a swing limited by the dimensionsof the slot 12. The paddlethereby accommodates itself to the force ofthe current, and is capable of a slight tilt to allow the passage ofdriftwood thcreunder, if necessary.

Fi gs. 15,16, 17 and 18 represent-other forms of propellers which may beused. I In Fig. 15

is showna paddle framework 19, of rectangular formation. It may be ahollow tube, provided with a longitudinal brace 20, wrapped around andriveted at each end to the sides of the bars. A covering is provided forthe frame 19,such covering being here shown as a flat perforated plate21, having its upper and lower edges curved around and embracing the topand bottom bars of the frame 19, and riveted to [the body of the brace20. A. vertical strap 22 isthen riveted through the plate 21, andthrough the brace 20, providing a strong and eflicient paddle structure.It is to .be noted that the plate 21 is provided with a plurality ofperforations, consisting of apertures and slots, the dispositionofwh'ich may be as desired, the primary idea being to permit passage ofwater through the plate 21. The plates 21 are further secured to theframe 19, by clips 22 which embrace the outer edge of the plate, and theside of the frame 19, the inner ends of the clip being secured each toeach by headed bolts, or rivets passing through the plate, see Fig. 15.

Fig. 16 shows two of the paddles disclosed in Fig. 15, laterallyseparated by spacing bolts 23. In this construction the plates 21- maybe detached from the brace 20 and the securing bolts 23 inserted in othr apertures .in the plates, so that one plate may be raised above theplane of the other, as shown in dotted lines Fig. 16, or the separationmay be effected and one plate moved laterally of the other, as shown inFig. 17, whereby to present a longer paddle, where desired.

I prefer to taper the apertures through the paddles, as indicated inFig. 18, presenting the largest area of the aperture upstream. Suchconstruction presents a greater area for water friction while passingthrough the apertures, and also increases the velocity of the waterwhich does pass through, causing it to more forcibly engage the nextpaddle.

It is obvious that the apparatus may carry as long a belt of paddles asis desired, and the dimensions of the paddles may be suited to theconditions. is indicated in Fig. 2,

" l is geared to an electric generator the sh ar G .pted to discharge tostorage batteries itablo clutch mechanisms being prov'- whereby todisconnect and connect the generator as desired. It is clear that thepower so gathered may be delivered to any point and for the performa iceof any work,

and it is equally obvious that the shaft 4 m1 ght be geared directly toany power wheel or J pulley.

order to insure the desired volume of water passing between the pontoonsA, I may utij. e what might be termed dam units, to concer the flow ofwater to a given path between the units. Such arrangement is shown inFigs. 3 and 13, and I prefer to utilize units which are self-propelled,each ing its displacement, and with propelling means whereby it maytravel through the water, or along the bottom thereof. Such units arefurther provided with side plates which are reciprocable vertically ofthe units, and also laterally thereof, whereby to pre vent passage ofwater beneath and between the units, such units being shown in my PatentNo. 1,399,286, issued Dec. 6, 1921; In concentrating a flow of waterbeneath and between pontoons A, I arrange a plurality of dam units 2 1in the position shown in Fig. 3, the units diverging upstream. The unitsare navigated to that position under their own power, and sunk until thecaterpillar tractors engage the bottom, mooring.

the units in proper location. The plates'25 are then dropped so thatthey engage the shaft as will be obvious, rendering the cur-.

rent motor more efficient. Y

In Figs. 1, 3 and 14, I have shown an accelerator unit E arrying anendless chain 26, running over power wheel 27, the chain 26 carrying aplurality of perforated paddles 28, adapted to. drive the unit throughthe water. The power for driving the accelerator unit E is taken fromthe shaft 4 of the wheel 2, the shafts carrying a sprocket wheel at eachend, and a drive chain 29 engaging sprocket carried by each end of theshaft 30 of the power wheel 27. Suitable clutch mechanism 31 isprovided, whereby to disconnect and connect the shaft 30 with the shaft1.

The units E may be utilized as power generating units, when theapparatus is held fixed in the current. Under these circumstances, theshaft 30 of the unit may be provided with a wheel 32 which is geared toa generator 83 discharging to batteries 3 1,as shown in Fig.2. 7

Instead of utilizing the direct gear hereto.- for-e described, the unitsE, when propelling the apparatus, may be driven by means of storagebatteries 35, connected to a motor 36, provided with a shaft carrying agear 37 operatively engaging a gear 3Scarried by the shaft 30.

In 1 is shown means for adjustably varying the slack'of thewchain, saidmeans comprising a frame 39 which is positioned between the upper andlower sections of the cable 1, said frame carrying pulleys 1O adapt edto receive the cable along its top and bottom. Turnbuckles 41 areprovided in the verticalbars of the frame 39, whereby to raise or lowerthe cable 1, as shown in Fig. 1. In

- operation, the cable, andthe'yoke 17, isre 4 depth of the propellersmaybe adjusted as v i also passing through both sidesof the paddle; Theapertures 5may be bored through the top of the paddle atregularinterceived by the pulleys 40, as-shownin Fig. 5, and suitablyspaced depressions are 7 also formed in the wheels 2, adapted to engagethe yokes 17,1as shown in Fig. 10.

- The rearwheel 2 is mounted in a support 42, provided with a laterallyelongated slot 43, adapted to receivethe axle of said wheel, as shown inFig.1. By moving the rear wheel 2 nearer the front wheel, the immersiondesired, suitable blocks 44, being placed in the (slot as to hold thewheel in its adjusted position. I i

. From the foregoing,it should be obvious that I have devised anapparatus capable of. maximum efficiency in harnessing the power ofrunning water. In'the practical operation of my apparatus, 1t may bearranged in water running inthe direction of "the arrow,

' and the paddles (here indicated by the letters a, Z), 0, (Z and c,Fig. 1), are successively'presented to the water in the order indicated,the paddles a and Z) beinghere shown in position for eflicient service.As the paddle 0 enters the water, if it were a solid paddle, the waterwould tend to pile up in front or on the upstream side, resulting in theformation, atthe rear of the paddle c, of what might be termed a hole inthe water. Under these circumstances, the power of the current would notbe appreciably transmitted to the paddles Z) or a, and these paddleswould retard rather than assist in the rotation of the power shaft 4, ofthe wheel 2. In foraminated paddles however, that portion of the waterwhich would tend to pile up in front of a'solid paddle now passesthrough the paddle c and its power is transmitted directly to the paddleb, and thence through 6 to a, etc., resulting in a loss of power foreach paddle, but insuring that every paddle is a factor in the rotationof the shaft 4:. By allowing a certain volume of water to pass throughevery paddle, as above set forth, the power of the apparatus is greatlyincreased, as will be understood.

The dam units 24, and the accelerator units E, may or may not beutilized, dependent upon the conditions to be met. Under somecircumstances I may use the duplex paddle structure shown in Figs. 16and 17.

It is to be noted that the paddle structure shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7provides for the relatively large openings 7 transversely through thepaddles. All of these openings are i alignment when the paddles are inthe water, as clearly indicated in Fig. 9, and consequently a portion ofthe current passes through this line of openings with comparativefreedom while other portions of the water pass through the apertures andslots with less freedom. Due to the openings 7 however a virtual belt ofwater is constantlypassing through the paddles, tending to skilled inthe art, but

It is to be noted that, in the constructions here illustrated, everypaddle is provided I of transversely extending with a pluralityIn-Figst, 6 and 7, such water passages.

passages are illustrated as a large slot 7, ex-:

tending upwardly, both sides of thc paddle, to a point above the centrallongitudinal line of the latter, a plurality of smaller-and roundedapertures 5' without too greatly weakeningthe paddile i t e those porg'structure. For obvious reasons however,

apertures o are' 'not provided in tions of the paddle which enclosesthe'sealed chambers necessary to the successful operation of my paddlestructures. v If the slots 7 were relied upon solely for the passage ofwater, the latter would pile-up around the solid portions of the paddleadjacent the slot 7, and not be properly fed to the paddle in front.With the many apertures 5, the water rushes through them under increasedvelocity, and uniformly contacts or feeds the next paddle, it being-oneof the important features of this invention to, permit water contactagainst the solid portions of the face of every immersed paddle,throughout its entire area, in so far as possible, while necessarilypermitting water to pass through each paddle for feeding the nextpaddle.

It is to be observed that the paddle structure shown in Figs. 15 to 18inclusive, carry out the general idea as just above set forth. Each ofthe plates 21 isof foraminated construction, thereby presenting,throughout its entire area, a surface which carries solid portions forwater contact, and apertured portions permitting the passage of thewater to the next paddle. 7

Various modifications of the structures herein depicted may be suggestedto those I claim as my invention all. such modifications as fall fairlywithin the scope of the appended claims.

hat I claim is:

1. A paddle for current motors, comprising a member adapted for contactby the cur.- rent and provided with a plurality of elongatedwater-passages extending inwardly from one of its marginal edges, and aplu-- from the bottom edge of 8. The numerous apertures 5" are.

rality of apertures extending through said its short of the nected tosaid member, adjacent the said op posite edge.

3. A paddle for current motors comprising a hollow member having aclosed top, in operative position, and two pendant sides, buoyantelements carried in the top of said member, and aligned slots in thesides of said member, substantially as described.

4. A paddle for current motors comprising a hollow member having aclosed top, in op- Y erative position, and two pendant sides, buoyantelements carried in the top of said member, aligned slots in the sidesof said member, and a plurality of apertures extending through saidmember adjacent said slots.

5. In a current motor, a chain made up of a supporting cable carrying aplurality of paddle members adapted for contact by the current, each ofsaid members being adapted to straddle said cable and having pendantsides provided with elongated water-passages formed therein, thepassages in the sides being in alignment.

6. In a current motor, a chain made up of a supporting cable carryinga-pl'urality of paddle members adapted for contact by the 7 current,each of said members being adapted to straddle said cable and havingpendant sides provided with elongated formed therein, the passages inthe sides being in alignment, and a plurality of apertures on each sideof said elongated passages.

7. A current motor including a chain of water-passages In testimonywhereof I aflix my Signature.

CARL J. BAER.

